The Go Vap District People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City pushed back the hearing at the request of Mercedes. The company did not disclose the reason for seeking the delay.
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Singer Duy Manh seen at a public event. Photo courtesy of Duy Manh |
On Feb. 15, 2023, the sedan caught fire while parked in a HCMC apartment complex. The singer had purchased the car in 2020 for more than VND5 billion.
The police, after examining the car, concluded that the fire was caused by “an electrical short circuit.” His insurance company paid him VND2.9 billion.
But Mercedes-Benz technicians, after checking the vehicle, blamed the fire on “rodent activity,” citing rat droppings and debris discovered inside.
Calling the explanation “unreasonable,” Manh decided to take legal action. He said the technicians’ pictures showing rat droppings inside the vehicle were taken 45 days after the fire.
The car was left at an outdoor parking lot by the police during that period, and the rat feces and bite marks looked fresh next to the burned car engine, he said.
Since the car was destroyed during the warranty period, Manh is demanding VND2.5 billion from Mercedes, the remainder of the car’s value. “I’m not focused on the money; I just want a satisfactory explanation,” he said.
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A black Mercedes sedan belonging to singer Duy Manh is being extinguished in Ho Chi Minh City in February 2023. Photo by Duy Manh |
Mercedes has said however that since Manh was paid by the insurer he can no longer seek compensation from it.
It said when the car was examined by its technicians, Manh and representatives from his insurance firm were present, and the conclusion was that the fire had been caused by a rodent chewing on electrical wiring.
Duy Manh, 50, full name Nguyen Duy Manh, hails from Hai Phong in northern Vietnam. He graduated from the HCMC Conservatory of Music with a degree in piano.
He started performing as a pianist and vocalist at cafés and other minor venues in 1998 before rising to fame in 2004 with several hit songs. Now he composes, produces and performs at bars and pubs.
